Baasankhuu, Stegehuis win titles at Yunnan Granfondo cycling

Kunming, Nov 9 : Mongolia's Myagmarsuren Baasankhuu and Netherlands' Annemiek Stegehuis won the titles in the men's and women's categories respectively at the 2019 Colourful Yunnan International Granfondo in Lijiang in China's Yunnan province on Saturday.

Lijiang was the final stage of the 100 kilometres race, with an average altitude of more than 2,500 meters, which was the highest one in all six stages with a number of difficult climbs. Baasankhuu and Marg Fedyna from Canada won the men's and women's categories respectively in this stage with 31358 and 35902, reports Xinhua news agency.

"It's an amazing feeling to get the title," said Baasankhuu, who praised his teammates for their support, "Today my focus is not good, thanks to my teammate, they always keep pushing me," he said.

"Granfondo is special to me, I'm so proud to be a part of it. I am happy and sad now, because all the stage races are finished. I will come back," Baasankhuu added.

In the women's race, the Netherlands' Annemiek Stegehuis who won four stages in the event, got the title.

Yunnan Granfondo has been held every year since 2014. This year's competition covers 650 kilometers from Mangshi to Lijiang, and encompasses a variety of terrain. More than 1,000 cyclists from 36 countries and regions took part in this year's event.